USA > New York > Albany County > Albany > The annals of Albany, Vol. I > Part 12
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about the slanderous manner in which some of the members of the Lu- theran church, and especially a certain Engeltye, the wife of Solomon Volktie, should have expressed herself in the presence of said Ida Barents, on account of the church and consistory. Appeared before the court Engeltje, to whom the accusation was read, whereupon she prayed and received pardon, on condition of better behavior in future.
1681. Petition of the consistory of the Reformed Dutch Church com- munity, according to the repeated and earnest solicitation of Dominie Schaats, that it would please the court to do their utmost endeavors to obtain them a good orthodox pastor for their church, which is favorably answered by the court, and resolved in consequence to summon several of the principal citizens, in order to know their opinion of the matter .... May. Whereas, Captain Anthony Brockholst has been pleased to give his approbation for the obtainance of a new pastor for the Reformed Dutch Church. It is resolved by the court to collect a sum of money of the community to defray the expenses of his passage hither ..... Letter of Captain Brockholst about the sending of Aneke, the daughter of Dominie Schaats with her children to New York to her husband Thos. D. Kikebel, and order of the court to said Aneke to depart thither with the first opportunity ..... June. Appointment of two elders and two deacons to collect the contributions of the members of the community for the new appointed pastor ..... Resolved that there shall be written to the classis of Amsterdam for the sending of a good orthodox pastor for the Reformed Dutch Church of Albany, who will enjoy a yearly salary of f800 in beaver, and the contribution in behalf of his passage thither, amounts to the sum of f648 beaver, which is deposited with Messrs. J. H. Van Baal, Richard Van Rensselaer and Abel De Wolff, to be used for said purpose ..... Dec. The sheriff, ex officio, claims of Jan Van Loon f800 seawan, for a fine having greatly upbraided and injured Martin Cornelis, who had changed the Roman Catholic religion for the Protestant, and calumniated the Protestant church itself by say- ing among other things to Marten, that he had turned from God to the devil, on which several witnesses were examined.
May, 1632. Resolution about making a new gallery in the north side of the church, by means of contribution on the community. Contract with an architect to build another gallery in the church ..... List of twenty four persons who are entitled because of their contributions to seats on the new made gallery in the church, as follows: Peter Schuyler Philipse, Arent Schuyler, Philip Schuyler, Jr., Johannes Schuyler, Mar- tin Gerritsen, Johannes Wendell, Johannes Cuyler, Joachim Staats, Levinus Van Schayck, Sybrant Van Schayck, Jacob Lokermans, Robert Livingston, Albert Rykman, Martin Cornelise, Claes Van Petton, Dirk Wessells, Cornelis Teunise, Johannes Janse, Myndert Harmense, Jan Stoffolse Abeel, Anthony Van Schayck, Jacob Janse Flodder, Arnout Cornelise Viele, Evert Banker ..... Consented that Robert Livingston may occupy for himself and his posterity, a seat on the new gallery, as a reward for his trouble in getting contributions ..... Resolution of the court to write to the commissaries of Schenectady, to get information whether it was true that the sabbath could be so dreadfully violated there by some Frenchmen, and that such should rather be nourished than hindered by the officer, L. Cobes.
Aug , 1633. Citation of the Reformed Dutch Church to inquire how much of them would please to contribute for the salary of the Holland
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arrived pastor, Dominie Godefrideus Dellius. List of the subscribers amounts to f 1200 beaver, or 350 pistareens. Determination about the just beginning of the ministerial year of Dominie Dellius, and some dispositions in the notarial contract made at Amsterdam, the 20th July, 1682, especially on account of the increase of his yearly salary, in case of the death of Dominie Schaats. Information given by Dominie Del- lius of his being willing to perform the notarial contract of his duties but will be pleased in being paid with Dutch money ..... Disposition on account of the yearly salary of Dominie Dellius, being finally fixed at the sum of f900 Dutch money, and also a determination of Dominie Dellius to preach to the community of Schenectady. once a month ..... Resolution of the court to write a letter of thanksgiving to the classis of Amsterdam, on account of their paternal care in sending of the reve- rend, godly and deep learned Dominie Godefredius Dellius, and also to write a letter of thanks to Richard Van Rensselaer and Abel de Wolff, for their exertions ..... Nov. Nomination of four members of the Re- formed Dutch Church delivered to the court, to elect two of them to be church wardens.
Act of Incorporation .- George by the Grace of God King of Great Britain, France and Ireland, defender of the faith, &c., to all to whom these presents shall come or may concern, sendeth greeting : Whereas our loving subjects the Rev. Petrus Van Driessen, Johannes Cuyler, Johan- nes Rooseboom, Henrych Van Rensselaer, William Jacobse Van Deu- sen, Rutgert Bleecker, Volkert Van Veghten, Myndert Rooseboom and Dirck Tienbroock, the present ministers, elders and deacons of the Re- formed Protestant Dutch Church in the city of Albany, in our province of New York, by their humble petition presented to our trusty and well beloved Colonel Peter Schuyler, president of our council for our pro- vince of New York, in council have set forth that the inhabitants of Albany, descended of Dutch ancestors, have from the first settlement of this province by Christians, hitherto held, used and enjoyed the free and undisturbed exercise of their religion and worship in the Dutch language, after the manner of the established Reformed Protestant re- ligion in Holland, according to the common rules, institutions and church government of the national synod of Dort, in Holland, in the year of our Lord Christ one thousand six hundred and eighteen, and one thousand six hundred and nineteen. And that the said minister, elders and dea- cons, and their ancestors and predecessors, at their own charge and expense, erected, built and hitherto maintained a church within the city of Albany aforesaid, and have dedicated the same to the service and worship of Almighty God, situate, lying and being in the high street commonly called Yonkers street, nigh the bridge in the city of Albany, containing in length on the south side thereof seven rod, three foot four inches; on the north side seven rod, three foot one inch, Ryland measure. and in breadth on the east and west ends, sixty-one foot and five inches, wood measure. And are now not only quietly and peaceably seized and possessed of their said church, but are likewise seized of sundry other demesnes to and for their sole and only proper use and behoof of their said church and congregation, that is to say, one certain messuage or tenement and lot of ground in the aforesaid city of Albany commonly called the Dutch minister's house, situate, lying and being in the
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Brewer's street, on the east side thereof, in the third ward of the said city, being in front from the southward to the northward five rod ten inches, and behind toward Hudson's river, six rod fifteen inches, Ryland measure, and in length from the said street to the city stockadoes, bound- ed on the south side by Jan Solomons, and on the north side by that of the late Hans Hendrycks and the widow of David Schuyler. Also one other certain messuage or tenement and lot of ground, situate, lying and being in the city aforesaid commonly called poor house or alms house, in the first ward of the said city, bounded on the south by the high street that leads to the burying place to the north of Rutten kill, and to the east of Harman Rutgers, and to the west by the lot of Garryt Bancker, containing in breadth towards the street that leads to the Lu- theran church by the said Rutten kill, six rod one foot and the like breadth in the rear, and in length on the east side, eight rod and two inches, all Ryland measure. Also that certain parcel of land commonly called and known by the name of the pasture, situate, lying, and being to the south- ward of the city of Albany, near the place where the old fort stood, ex- tending along Hudson's river, till it comes over against the most north- erly point of the island commonly called Marten Gerrytsen's island, having to the east Hudson's river, to the south the manor of Rensselaers- wyck, to the west the highway that leads to the city aforesaid, the pas- tures now or late in the tenure and occupation of Martin Gerrytsen, and the pasture now or late in the tenure or occupation of Casper Jacobs, to the north the several pastures late in the tenure and occupation of Robert Saunders, Myndert Harmans and Evert Wendell, and the several gardens late in the occupation of Dirck Wessells, Killian Van Rensselaer and Abra- ham Staats, together with the old highway from Beaver kill to the end of Schermerhorn's pasture, adjoining to the same on the west side thereof. Also that certain parcel of pasture land situate, lying, and being to the southward of the said city, and to the westward of the before mentioned pasture, near and about the limits of the said city on the manor of Rensselaerswyck, containing in breadth along the wagon way, six and twenty rod, and in length towards the woods, eight and twenty rod, and in breadth towards the woods twenty five rod. And also all that certain garden lot of ground situate, lying, and being in the great pas- ture, containing in the breadth six rod and five foot, and in length eight rod and two foot, and stretching backwards with another small lot of three rod and two foot in length, and in breadth one rod and two foot Ryland measure; praying that they may by charter or patent under the great seal of the province of New York, be incorporated and made one body politic in fact and name, and that they and their successors forever here. after, may not only be enabled to use, exercise and enjoy their aforesaid privileges, and the free use and exercise of their said religion and wor- ship in manner aforesaid, by the name and style of the ministers, elders and deacons of the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church, in the city of Albany, with such other liberties and privileges as have been formerly granted to other Reformed Protestant Dutch churches within the pro- vince of New York, with variations, additions and commissions, as long usage and experience has taught them to be most agreeable to their well being and circumstances, but also the grant and confirmation of all those their said inheritances and demesns, to hold to them, the said minister, elders and deacons of the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church in the city
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of Albany, and to their successors and assigns for ever. We being willing to encourage and promote the said pious intentions and the free use and exercise of their said reformed protestant religion, to the same congregation and their successors for ever, in the said city of Albany, know ye, that of our especial grace, certain knowledge, and meer motion, we have given, granted, ratified, and confirmed, and do by these presents for us, our heirs and successors for ever, give, grant, ratify and confirm unto all the inhabitants of Albany, so as aforesaid descended of Dutch ancestors, and professing the said reformed protest- ant religion, and to their successors for ever, the free use and exercise of their worship, doctrine, discipline and church government, according to the canons, rules, institutions and directions of the Reformed Pro- testant Dutch Church in Holland, instituted and approved by the National Synod of Dort, and that no person nor persons whatsoever in communion of the said Reformed Protestant Dutch Church in Albany aforesaid, or at any time or times hereafter, shall be molested, disquieted, or disturbed in the free use and exercise of their said religion and worship, they behaving themselves peaceably, and not abusing this liberty to licentious- ness, profaneness, and the civil injury or outward disturbance of the National Church of England, as by law established, or other reformed protestant churches in the aforesaid city of Albany. And to the end the same liberties and privileges be hereafter for ever supported, main- tained, and continued to them and their successors for ever, we of our especial grace, certain knowledge and meer motion, do likewise will and grant for us, our heirs and successors for ever, unto the same Petrus Van Driessen, the present minister of the same congregation at Albany, Johannes Roseboom, Henryck Van Renssalaer, and William Jacobse Van Deusen, the present elders of the same church, and unto Rutgert Bleecker, Volkert Van Veghten, Myndert Roseboom, and Dirk Tien- broock, the present deacons of the same church, and the inhabitants of Albany communicants of the said church, that they be as they are hereby created and made one body corporate and politick in fact and name, by the name of the minister, elders and deacons of the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church in the city of Albany, and that they and their successors for ever, shall and may by that name have perpetual suc- cession, and be able and capable in the law to sue and be sued, plead and be impleaded, answer and be answered unto, defend and be defended, in all and singular suits, quarrels, controversies, differences, strifes, matters and things whatsoever, and in all courts whatsoever, either in law or equity, of what kind sover, as also by the same name, to have, hold, take, receive, be seized of, possess and enjoy to them and their successors for ever their said church, parsonage or minister's dwelling-house, alms-house, and other their demesnes or inheritances, by fee simple, before mentioned, and such other demesnes or inherit- ances to purchase and acquire to them and their successors and assigns for ever, and by the same name, the same lands, hereditaments and ap- purtenances, or any part of them (excepting only the same church); to alienate, bargain, sell, grant, demise, sell and to farm-let to any other person, or persons, body corporate and politic, whatsoever at their will and pleasure, in fee simple for life, or lives, or for term of years, as to them shall seein most convenient and profitable, as any other person or persons, body corporate or politic, may or can do, not exceeding the
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yearly value of three hundred pounds over and above what they now stand seized and possessed, or for the common use and benefit of the same Dutch Church and of all the members of the same congregation. And we do further will and grant that the minister, elders and deacons of the same church, for the time being, for ever hereafter, be the con- sistory of the same church, and shall and may have, keep and use a common seal to serve for all grants, matters and things, whatsoever be- longing to the same corporation, with such device or contrivance thereon as they or their successors for ever shall think fit to appoint, with full power to break, new make and alter the same at their will and discretion ; and the same consistory shall have and enjoy the like powers and privileges as a Dutch consistory in the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church in Hol- land do, or may or ought to use and enjoy. And we do will and grant that the same Petrus Van Driessen be the first minister of the said church at the time of this our grant, and the same Johannes Cuyler, Johannes Roseboom, Henryck Van Rensselaer and William Jacobse Van Deusen, be the first elders of the said church at the time of this our grant ; and that the same Rutgert Bleecker, Volkert Van Veghten, Myndert Roseboom and Dirk Tienbroock, be the first deacons of the said church at the time of this our grant, to all intents and purposes ; and that the said ministers, together with the said four elders and four deacons, or the minister, elders and deacons for the time being, and the major numbers of them whereof the minister for the time being always to be one-be the consistory of the said church, and have and shall have full power and authority, at all time and times for ever hereafter. to act in all their church affairs and business, by majority of voices, in as full and ample manner as if the minister and all the said four elders and four deacons were personally present and did actually and severally give their votes. But in case of the death, absence or removal of their said minister, then, and in any of these cases, the elders and deacons of the same church, for the time being, or the major number of them, whereof the first elder in nomination we will always to be one, and shall preside, shall have, use and exercise all the power and authorities of a consis- tory to all intents and purposes, and shall manage and order the church affairs in as full and ample manner as if their said minister were alive, present and consenting thereunto, any thing in these presents to the contrary thereof in any wise notwithstanding. And we will and grant that the same elders and deacons continue in their respective offi- ces until the next anniversary election. And the said elders and their successors, for ever hereafter, have and shall have the full power and authority of receiving and paying the moneys given for the maintenance of the minister or ministry of the same church, whether the same arise by legacy, donation or voluntary contributions or collection from the in- habitants or members of the same congregation, and are to keep exact and true accounts to the consistory, when thereunto by them required And that the said deacons and their successors for ever hereafter, have and shall have the sole power and authority of receiving and paying all the moneys collected and offered at the administration of the Holy Sacrament of our Lord's Supper, and in church in the times of divine service of preaching, for the maintenance of the poor, and are to keep and render exact and true accounts thereof to the consistory aforesaid, when thereunto by them required, which election of the same elders
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and deacons of the same church is to be at Albany on every second Sa- turday of December, annually, forever, by majority of voices, of the consistory, in the manner following : That is to say, on each second Saturday of December, annually for ever at Albany, shall be chosen two new elders and two new deacons, who, together with the two elders and two deacons last in nomination in this our charter, shall serve for the year ensuing in their respective offices, and for ever thereafter, the two new ones shall be chosen and added to the younger two elders and deacons of the preceding year, so always as to preserve the number of four elders and four deacons of the said church. And moreover we do will and grant unto the said minister, elders and deacons of the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church, in the city of Albany, and to their successors for ever, that on the second Saturday of December next, and on every second Saturday of December annually forever hereafter at Albany, shall be elected and chosen four discreet persons by the majority of voices of the consistory aforesaid, to be kirkmasters of the said church, whose office and charge is and shall be to build and repair the same church and cemetery, parsonage, alms-house, and all other the he- reditaments and appurtenances to the said church belonging, and to have the ordering and direction of the pews and seats in the said church, and the breaking of the ground in the cemetery for burying of the dead, and shall have and receive all the rents and revenues of the said church, coming therefrom or from any other of the said church's inheri- tances ; also, the payments of all sum and sums of money laid out and expended, or to be laid out and expended, in such necessary build- ings and reparations of all which the said kirkmasters are likewise to keep and surrender exact and true accounts to the said consis- tory aforesaid, two of which four kirkmasters last nominated, at the next election shall continue in the same office for two years and two new ones yearly for ever hereafter. to be elected and chosen to serve with the two predecessors in like manner as with the elders and deacons aforesaid and not otherwise. And it is our will and desire that the two elders, two deacons and two kirkmasters, who shall be superseded by a new annual election of two others to succeed in their respective places, shall account and deliver up their several respective charges and moneys to their successors respectively, if any thereof be in their hands and possession, respectively in public manner. And we do likewise will and grant that the said kirkmasters shall be under the direction of the said consistory for the time being. And in case there shall not be enough in the hands either of the elders, deacons or kirk- masters, for the performing and finishing of any of their respective charges and trust of their particular respective funds before mentioned, which they be hereby respectively impowered to receive and manage. that then it shall and may be lawful to and for the consistory aforesaid, to order and direct the lending of what sum shall be necessary out of any of the aforesaid funds towards deficiency of any other of the said funds, so that there be no failure of any of the same three several charges or trusts upon any unforseen contingency or emergency. And we do likewise will and grant that in all elections of officers or other acts or orders of the consistory the minister or president of the consistory shall have but one vote. And if it shall happen there be an equal division of the voices or votes, so that the matter, or thing in dispute cannot receive
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the determination of a majority of voices, that then it shall and may' be lawful to determine the same by lot, leaving it to the sole wisdom of God to determine the same as he shall think fit. And we do likewise will and grant that it shall be in the power of the minister of the said church, for the time being, by himself or in case of his death, absence or removal, in the president or first elder who shall preside for the time being, or in the power of the major number of the whole consistory for the time being, to call a meeting of the consistory for the good and service of the said church, and the affairs of the said corporation, whensoever they shall see meet within the said city of Albany ; and in case it shall please God that any of the said elders, deacons or kirkmasters, for the time being, shall happen to die, remove, or otherwise be disabled from serving and officiating in their respective offices, within the year for which they are so chosen or appointed to serve ; we do will and grant that it shall and may be lawful to the consistory, for the time being, to assemble and meet together at Albany, at any other tinie of the year than the time of anniversary election, and so often as there shall be oc- casion to elect and choose other elders, deacons and kirkmasters in their respective rooms and stead, to officiate for the remaining part of the year until the next anniversary election ; which person or persons so chosen as aforesaid into any of the aforesaid offices of elders, deacons or kirkmaster, shall have like power and authority to act in their re- spective offices as if they had been elected and confirmed at the afore- said time of the anniversary election aforesaid, or as if the same per- sons so dying, being absent or otherwise disabled, were alive, present and capable to do the same; and we do will and grant unto the said minister, elders and deacons of the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church in the city of Albany, and to their successors for ever, the advowson and patronage of the said church; (that is to say. ) that after the decease of the aforesaid Petrus Van Driessen, or next and all other avoidances thereof, that it shall and may be lawful to and for the elders and dea- cons of the aforesaid church or the consistory of the aforesaid church and their successors for ever, to present and call another minister to succeed in the cure of souls in the aforesaid church and congregation of the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church in the city of Albany, provided always such minister, so called or presented by them to the said living, be always a person amenable to the laws of Great Britain and this Pro- vince, and pay due obedience and allegiance unto us and our royal heirs and successors, the kings and queens of Great Britain. And that it shall and may be lawful to and for the present minister or incumbent of the said church and his successors, or any of them to have, take, receive and keep for his end and their own use and support, that maintenance that now is or shall be agreed upon between him or them and the said consistory from time to time, and at all times hereafter. And it shall and may be lawful to and for the said elders of the same church, and their successors for ever, to collect and receive the voluntary subscrip- tions of the inhabitants of Albany, belonging to the said congregation, for and towards the payment of their said minister, or their minister for the time being, and to pay and cause to be paid unto the said minister and his successor, the minister of the said church, for the time being, his yearly stipend or salary, according to agreement, by quarterly even payments thereof, or otherwise, as it shall be agreed upon by and be- tween them, the said minister of the said church and the aforesaid con-
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